Comma Before And

Question

How would you describe the rule of when to put a comma before and?

I get so many conflicting versions of this rule when I look online that I thought I'd turn to some experts.

For this sentence for example: "My favorites are Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Breaking Bad, and Grey's Anatomy."

Now, as I understand it, if you're going to omit the comma, you do so when the things are very related to each other. Now, in this case, they're two television shows but don't have anything remotely to do with each other than that.

Also I heard formal writing would favor the comma while informal would not. Am I anywhere close to being right about any of this? I thank you.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

StarvinghystericalMy favorites are Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Breaking Bad, and Grey's Anatomy.

Correct. I very rarely see a series of items like this without the comma before 'and'. I always write a comma before 'and'. The style of writing (formal, informal) makes no difference.

CJ

Starvinghysterical · Answer

Speedy and very helpful response. Thank you.

GPY · Answer

Have you looked at the article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma?

RandomGuy · Answer

See also from our FAQs Serial or Oxford Comma.

Starvinghysterical · Answer

Cool! I'll probably be reading it as you're reading my thank you for it.

GPY · Answer

CalifJimCorrect. I very rarely see a series of items like this without the comma before 'and'. I always write a comma before 'and'. The style of writing (formal, informal) makes no difference.

I never put a comma before "and" in lists (except in rare cases where ambiguity may otherwise occur), and actually, although I am somewhat inured to it, it looks unnatural to me to include one. This may bear out the theory that the serial comma is more prevalent in the US than the UK.

CalifJim · Answer

GPYit looks unnatural to me to include one

I take it you are not a graduate of Oxford.

CJ

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